Yukino Yukinoshita nodded.
"Then it's decided."
Hachiman Hikigaya's mouth twitched again.
"What about me? Are you just going to ignore my opinion?"
"Then I'll start scouting for teammates who can challenge the Tennis Club," Ishikawa Hikaru added with a nod.
"However, before that, I might need to visit a hospital. I seem to be suffering from auditory hallucinations and tinnitus. I keep hearing someone named Hikitani muttering nonsense in my ear. I should consult a doctor about surgically removing Hikitani's ability to complain."
"That's not really a hallucination," Ayaka Totsuka kindly pointed out. "Hikigaya-kun was actually talking just now."
Hachiman suddenly looked deeply moved.
"Totsuka-kun, you—"
"Um…"
Yui Yuigahama, who had been silent during the discussion, suddenly raised her hand and interrupted him.
"Ishikawa-kun! I know someone who's really good at tennis!"
"Eh?"
Ishikawa blinked in surprise.
"You know someone who's good at tennis? I need someone who hasn't joined the Tennis Club before."
"Someone good at tennis who hasn't joined the Tennis Club?" Yuigahama said excitedly. "Yumiko told me before that when she was in middle school she was the prefectural representative for the girls' tennis team! She's really good! And Hayato is good at tennis too! You can ask them for help! I'll help persuade them!"
"Hayato and Miura?"
After processing her words, Ishikawa suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha! They connected in a way that even I, a genius light novel author, couldn't predict! That's why I say the Service Club is so interesting!"
"I've decided to give up destroying Planet Vegeta!"
"Hahahahaha—"
"Are you Frieza, the Emperor of the Universe?"
Hachiman Hikigaya's perfectly timed complaint came immediately.
---
32. So, Is the Problem Child a Stat Monster?
There are many scenes like this in novels.
Because of a single event occurring in a certain place, and through coincidence, people of completely different personalities and backgrounds become involved in the same incident.
Each person ends up playing an unexpected role.
That was exactly the situation now.
The request from Ayaka Totsuka about the Tennis Club allowed everyone in the Service Club to play a part.
Even Yui Yuigahama—who often seemed like the club's mascot—had provided crucial information.
That information pointed to another faction:
The Miura–Hayama group.
Because of that—
Ishikawa Hikaru felt genuine amusement.
Even Yuigahama, whom he had subconsciously assumed would play little role in this incident, had exceeded his expectations.
From that perspective alone, the potential shown by this "beautiful idiot" already surpassed what he had anticipated.
"That's why human potential is infinite."
People are not fixed.
They can grow.
Like streams of fresh water flowing through mountains.
Even if his evaluation of someone was temporarily correct, it could never be permanently correct.
Yui Yuigahama had already proven that.
Even people ignored by society might display remarkable talent in unexpected places.
A small stream flowing through mountains may eventually gather tributaries and become a powerful river.
Even if the path is winding…
Even if the journey is long…
Eventually it reaches the sea.
Reality is not always this ideal.
Rivers may dry up in drought.
But Ishikawa Hikaru still believed the Service Club possessed such potential.
Perhaps the group formed by Hayama and Miura had similar potential.
But its purity was lower than that of the Service Club.
And the bond connecting that group was likely Yui Yuigahama.
Which meant it required careful handling.
"But first I need to check if there are indoor tennis courts nearby," he muttered.
"I need to conduct an on-site inspection."
On his way home, Ishikawa took out his phone and sent his mother a LINE message saying he might return late.
Then he opened Google Maps.
The closest court was Takabami Tennis Court, only 280 meters away from Sobu High School.
It would take just a few minutes to walk there.
"Let's check it out."
Unfortunately, when he arrived, he discovered it was an outdoor court.
The surface looked badly worn.
Crows cawed loudly nearby.
There was a good chance bird droppings might land on someone's head mid-match.
"This won't work."
The price was extremely cheap—clearly designed so Sobu High students could afford it.
But the poor condition was understandable.
"I'll keep looking."
An hour later—
Ishikawa had taken photos of Mihama Indoor Tennis Court.
He planned to present all the courts he had inspected during lunch break the next day so everyone could choose.
"Time to go home."
Other courts were over ten kilometers away.
Too inconvenient without a driver's license.
Walking and cycling were his only options.
While strolling home, he opened LINE to message Yamada Elf.
But since explaining everything would take too long, he simply called her.
After a moment, she answered.
Her childish, smug voice immediately rang through the phone.
"What happened? Did you find a house for me to buy?"
"No," Ishikawa laughed. "I was bored on the way home and decided to report today's front-line situation to Lord Fairy."
"The situation has changed dramatically today. If nothing unexpected happens, all the interesting people in my second year might get dragged into this major incident."
"Eh? What major incident?"
"A Tennis Club member wanted to strengthen the club so it wouldn't decline. So he came to us—and I gave him a plan."
Then Ishikawa summarized.
"I will act as the Great Demon King leading my Four Heavenly Kings of Tennis to challenge the Tennis Club."
"I will destroy their dignity."
"Then the Tennis Club member and our club's mysterious Dead Fish Eyes will defeat me and restore the club's glory."
"The Four Heavenly Kings I'm inviting are actually the male and female protagonists of the most popular group in our class."
"So this upcoming incident will look like a grand battle from a manga."
"Ohhh! That sounds amazing!" Yamada Elf exclaimed. "The Demon Lord ambushing the hero's starting village!"
"But wait—you know how to play tennis?"
"I only knew you played baseball."
"You're absolutely correct!" Ishikawa declared proudly.
"I still don't know how to play tennis!"
"…Then aren't you just a Beginner Demon Lord?"
"What if the hero defeats you immediately?"
"I didn't play baseball because I had talent for baseball," Ishikawa said confidently.
"It's because my abilities show more clearly in a national sport."
"My true identity is actually a stat monster."
"Like Platinum Star."
"Tennis is trivial."
"And since I'm a stat monster comparable to Platinum Star…"
"You may also call me by my other name."
"Clark."
"Clark Kent."
---
33. So, Will the Problem Child Help Sisyphus?
The next day at lunch break—
Since Ishikawa had slept well the previous night, he spent most classes lying on his desk browsing news and information on his phone.
So when the fourth-period bell rang, he immediately stood up.
He walked to Miura Yumiko's seat.
After greeting the boy beside her, he leaned slightly against the desk and said,
"I need Miura and Hayama to help me with something."
He went straight to the point.
"Yesterday I suddenly became interested in the national tennis tournament."
"So I skipped club activities and checked the Sobu High Tennis Club."
"The current members have absolutely no competitive level."
"How can anyone aim for the national tournament while surrounded by a recreational club?"
"So I plan to take over the Tennis Club."
"Huh?" Miura frowned. "Take over?"
"It means exposing the fact that the current Tennis Club lacks competitive ability."
"I'll make them realize the gap in skill and quit voluntarily."
"Then when I join later, I can rebuild the club and aim for the national tournament."
"I don't understand," Miura replied bluntly.
"And I won't help you."
"There's no reason for Hayato or me to offend the Tennis Club."
Ishikawa didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he continued calmly.
"Yesterday I inspected three tennis courts near Sobu High."
"After school we could go train together."
"The best one is an outdoor court near Seaside Park."
"There's an amusement park and water park nearby."
"After training we could relax there."
Miura hesitated slightly.
At that moment, Hayama walked over.
"I heard your conversation."
"Hayato!" Miura complained. "He wants us to expose the Tennis Club."
"That's too much."
Hayama turned to Ishikawa.
"Why involve us in something like that?"
"If you want to join the national tournament, there's no need to humiliate the Tennis Club."
"Actually, it's necessary," Ishikawa replied calmly.
"The current members treat tennis casually."
"If I say I want to join and train seriously, they'll reject me."
"So it's easier to eliminate them first."
"That approach is inconsiderate," Hayama said.
"The Tennis Club isn't a tool for your goals."
"Then those people can form a Happy Tennis Club instead," Ishikawa shrugged.
"I just want to leave behind a memorable achievement in high school."
"That's why I joined the baseball club in my first year."
"My goal hasn't changed."
"It just shifted—from reaching Koshien Stadium to winning the National Tennis Championship."
After finishing, Ishikawa paused.
Then he bowed slightly.
"You're right."
"My request was rude."
"I didn't think it through carefully."
"I apologize."
"Please forget I asked."
He turned and walked out of the classroom.
Hayama frowned thoughtfully.
"Hayato?" Miura asked.
"It's nothing," Hayama smiled.
"I'm going to the restroom."
He left through the back door.
Outside—
Ishikawa Hikaru was leaning against the wall.
"What a coincidence," Ishikawa said with a smile.
"Going to the restroom too?"
"Want to go together?"
"Sure."
As they walked, Hayama said casually,
"Miura is a good girl."
"She may be impatient, but she truly cares about her friends."
"I agree," Ishikawa nodded.
"So could you avoid influencing her thoughts?"
"I'm only giving her an opportunity," Ishikawa laughed.
"If anyone is to blame, blame yourself."
"You know she likes you, yet you pretend not to notice."
"How long will you keep this up?"
"If I answer her now, the group will fall apart."
"What's wrong with that?" Ishikawa said as they entered the restroom.
"Youth without conflict is incomplete."
"I disagree."
"I believe only relationships that survive being broken and rebuilt are truly worth keeping."
Standing at the urinal, Ishikawa continued casually.
"You value superficial harmony too much."
"You ignore problems until they explode."
"Why not face your own feelings?"
"Because not everyone has the courage to do that."
"That's true," Ishikawa admitted with a smile.
"But how do you know Miura doesn't have that courage?"
"What are you?"
"A gardener protecting fragile flowers?"
…
After finishing, Ishikawa zipped up.
"If I make a mistake, I'll accept the consequences."
"If I deserve to be hit, then I'll be hit."
"If I deserve to be scolded, then I'll be scolded."
"What's wrong with that?"